Andy Balbirnie is one of only three players to score a double century for Ireland (with Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan). He came of age against the Netherlands in the 2017 Intercontinental-Cup match when he scored 205 not out and 50 and has been ever-present since.

He captained the Under-17 national side in the 2007 European competition and led the Irish side in the Under-19 European Championships in Jersey in 2009 (Ireland won the competition to go through to the World Cup Qualifiers in Canada).

He spent five years at Middlesex and is now established as Ireland’s No 3.

He plays his club cricket for Pembroke Cricket Club.

Follow Andy on Twitter

As the team travelled to New Zealand for their World Cup opener against the West Indies in Nelson, www.cricketireland.ie caught up with Andrew Balbirnie to talk about his preparation for the biggest tournament in cricket.